Sony's future and possible studio/publisher acquisitions

[reziel]

D

https://www.resetera.com/threads/analyzing-the-strategy-of-microsofts-acquisitions.737631/page-4

These Grade-A clowns are ALREADY hyping up the next publisher for MS to buy relevancy through. Take a guess what names are floating around.

FWIW I think some of the posters on that page are being sarcastic and tongue-and-cheek, or just neutrally accepting that MS probably won't stop at ABK because we do have Satya Nadella himself on record saying they'd be looking at other targets. And we know how desperate Microsoft are for a Japanese publisher.

But some of them are definitely likely salivating at the prospect of Microsoft buying another publisher and are just trying to be muted in that thread discussion for the time being. I say this because those particular users, have been some of the most vocal in support of the ABK acquisition, and basically cheered Xbox pom-poms in doing so. I did throw some names in another post among biggest Xbox fans on that forum, one or two would probably look familiar.

What I will just say, is that I am now 100% ethically opposed to any further gaming acquisitions Microsoft even wants to consider making that aren't Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal or Certain Affinity. Those are the only three I feel would not be completely destructive to the long-term prognosis of 3P market stability and freedom of creative, technical & financial choice for 3P in this industry. It would take them at least 10 years of consistent, high-quality output between the XGS teams, Zenimax and ABK for me to even be open to the idea of them buying yet another 3P publisher, doesn't matter the size.

Of course the idiots will come out and the only thing that should matter is who's got the money and who's looking to sell. Yes, what a way to boil down the creative interest in the hobby you should have, to being a bean counter for suits and shareholders at corporations who don't even consider the voices of creatives under them. Especially so it would seem with Microsoft's ambitions. Between that and trying to backdoor their way into other publishers and platform holders (no doubt to destabilize them in some fashion to make it easier to take advantage of and buy them outright), I offer no support to Microsoft or Xbox in their M&A endeavors post-ABK. And the only reason I'm even begrudgingly accepting of ABK is because it just seems like more of an inevitability with the FTC being the only major holdout now.

Quite frankly, without some massive change in corporate mentality regarding growth and backing off of anticompetitive practices for eating a bigger share of the market, I'd rather see Xbox fall under than the industry as a whole. Too bad for the potential of the hardware and platform, but with the current leadership the potential will never truly be realized.

Wow they're still going on about SEGA over there lmao.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/analyzing-the-strategy-of-microsofts-acquisitions.737631/page-4

These Grade-A clowns are ALREADY hyping up the next publisher for MS to buy relevancy through. Take a guess what names are floating around.

FWIW I think some of the posters on that page are being sarcastic and tongue-and-cheek, or just neutrally accepting that MS probably won't stop at ABK because we do have Satya Nadella himself on record saying they'd be looking at other targets. And we know how desperate Microsoft are for a Japanese publisher.

But some of them are definitely likely salivating at the prospect of Microsoft buying another publisher and are just trying to be muted in that thread discussion for the time being. I say this because those particular users, have been some of the most vocal in support of the ABK acquisition, and basically cheered Xbox pom-poms in doing so. I did throw some names in another post among biggest Xbox fans on that forum, one or two would probably look familiar.

What I will just say, is that I am now 100% ethically opposed to any further gaming acquisitions Microsoft even wants to consider making that aren't Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal or Certain Affinity. Those are the only three I feel would not be completely destructive to the long-term prognosis of 3P market stability and freedom of creative, technical & financial choice for 3P in this industry. It would take them at least 10 years of consistent, high-quality output between the XGS teams, Zenimax and ABK for me to even be open to the idea of them buying yet another 3P publisher, doesn't matter the size.

Of course the idiots will come out and the only thing that should matter is who's got the money and who's looking to sell. Yes, what a way to boil down the creative interest in the hobby you should have, to being a bean counter for suits and shareholders at corporations who don't even consider the voices of creatives under them. Especially so it would seem with Microsoft's ambitions. Between that and trying to backdoor their way into other publishers and platform holders (no doubt to destabilize them in some fashion to make it easier to take advantage of and buy them outright), I offer no support to Microsoft or Xbox in their M&A endeavors post-ABK. And the only reason I'm even begrudgingly accepting of ABK is because it just seems like more of an inevitability with the FTC being the only major holdout now.

Quite frankly, without some massive change in corporate mentality regarding growth and backing off of anticompetitive practices for eating a bigger share of the market, I'd rather see Xbox fall under than the industry as a whole. Too bad for the potential of the hardware and platform, but with the current leadership the potential will never truly be realized.

I don’t understand why you do read something which will obviously rile you guys up. One good advice: Ignore this morons. Trust me it’s better for your mental health. They are not worth it. I muted/blocked all Xbox Clout chasers on Twitter um pardon on X…
You will do yourself a favor. They can dream all about MS poaching in Japan, it’s just not going to happen. MS can’t do whatever they want, their current investors/stakeholders are not satisfied how MS is wasting their invested cash. Investors are highly sceptical of Xbox.

 

[AshHunter216]

It's not about competition for these guys, it's spite. Best to just ignore them.

 

[Say1nMan]

For what it’s worth, and it’s not a lot, here’s what Jez had to say about ff7 remake coming to Xbox. Well at least for this tgs:

Imagine being bummed that a game isn't coming to your green box even though you know said game will be coming at some point to a device out there called a PC with a operating system called Windows and you work for a outlet with wait for it....the word WINDOWS in the name. Couldn't be me.

 

[historia]

I think Sony has ultimately the last word if FF7R launches on other platforms including Nintendo. The reports were true: Sony did indeed fully find the whole project. The would be nuts to put wanted games on competitors platforms.
Also that today FF7R didn’t get announced solidify further my prediction that Square Enix will be acquired by Sony in 2024.

Nah it’s only old stuff. As we know Sony they want only new stuff. Persona 6 will be probably timed-exclusive for a year and then most people will start crying again. Mission accomplished.

That is a really fricking huge reach my guy.

But I do think Song will be working on long terms partnership with Square, maybe Capcom to.

Acquisition is not PS brand dominant strategies, exclusivity and partnerships.

 

[historia]

Also noticed how Square says IP transformed to AAA. Sony basically transformed God of War and some of their studios to produce solely AAA.

I think Sony will open a joint-venture with Square Enix to "transform" IP to AAA, with Sony funds their projects.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

That is a really fricking huge reach my guy.

But I do think Song will be working on long terms partnership with Square, maybe Capcom to.

Acquisition is not PS brand dominant strategies, exclusivity and partnerships.

Drastic times, drastic measures…
Times have changed, just buying small studios won’t help Sony in the long-term. Sony would be ignorant not to try everything possible to acquire Square Enix. The advantages they would gain through a full acquisition of Square Enix overweight the disadvantages. Square Enix is a treasure drove and can do the turnaround with a proper management. Square Enix has only a market cap of $4.35B. It’s now or never. Sony probably knows themselves how valuable Square Enix would be under their wheelhouse.



This position is new. This is not for single developer studios. Bungie and small studios didn’t need an integration. This for something bigger: a publisher. Sony will 100% use the opportunity and acquire Square Enix in full.

 

[historia]

Drastic times, drastic measures…
Times have changed, just buying small studios won’t help Sony in the long-term. Sony would be ignorant not to try everything possible to acquire Square Enix. The advantages they would gain through a full acquisition of Square Enix overweight the disadvantages. Square Enix is a treasure drove and can do the turnaround with a proper management. Square Enix has only a market cap of $4.35B. It’s now or never. Sony probably knows themselves how valuable Square Enix would be under their wheelhouse.



This position is new. This is not for single developer studios. Bungie and small studios didn’t need an integration. This for something bigger: a publisher. Sony will 100% use the opportunity and acquire Square Enix in full.

Hmm I think Sony acquires Bungie because they thinks it have potential to become AB?

I do think with proper management maybe SE can flourish. But first they gonna clean all the "moles" first.

I still don't really like Japanese horizontal type of mergers back in the 2000s though, Bandai-Namco and Square-Enix never really reach the full potentials.

 

[AshHunter216]

Drastic times, drastic measures…
Times have changed, just buying small studios won’t help Sony in the long-term. Sony would be ignorant not to try everything possible to acquire Square Enix. The advantages they would gain through a full acquisition of Square Enix overweight the disadvantages. Square Enix is a treasure drove and can do the turnaround with a proper management. Square Enix has only a market cap of $4.35B. It’s now or never. Sony probably knows themselves how valuable Square Enix would be under their wheelhouse.



This position is new. This is not for single developer studios. Bungie and small studios didn’t need an integration. This for something bigger: a publisher. Sony will 100% use the opportunity and acquire Square Enix in full.

I actually do remember seeing that post recently. That definitely implies something larger than a small start-up studio, since something like that wouldn't need merger integration. Some more pessimistic members on there think it might just be a large company that focuses on mobile, but I'm not sure who that would be. One thought it might be the Genshin impact company, but hopefully it's something more traditional like Square. I just don't want PlayStation losing access to all the good stuff.

 

[Dabaus]

I wouldnt be surprised if it integration specialist was for Bungi or the Zee acquisition. Wouldn't be surprised at all.

 

[AshHunter216]

I wouldnt be surprised if it integration specialist was for Bungi or the Zee acquisition. Wouldn't be surprised at all.

This job wasn't posted until long after those were already acquired. It was posted within the last month or so.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

I wouldnt be surprised if it integration specialist was for Bungi or the Zee acquisition. Wouldn't be surprised at all.

Zee is Sony Pictures. This is for SIE PlayStation division solely.
Bungie didn’t get an integration because they are an independent operating subsidiary of SIE.

 

[historia]

Zee is Sony Pictures. This is for SIE PlayStation division solely.
Bungie didn’t get an integration because they are an independent operating subsidiary of SIE.

Make me wonders.

If Sony wants to make merger in Japan they will have to go through the mother company, not the SIE division, since SIE is counted toward an foreign entity.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

Make me wonders.

If Sony wants to make merger in Japan they will have to go through the mother company, not the SIE division, since SIE is counted toward an foreign entity.

That wouldn’t be a problem. SIE is still a Japanese company. The location doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter if it’s Mumbai or Los Angeles. SIE is Japanese subsidiary overseas. Most execs are Japanese people there anyway. I wouldn’t worry about that. ABK will be a subsidiary of Xbox but the the buyer was Microsoft as parent company. Same thing will be with Japan. Sony buys but becomes a subsidiary of SIE.

 

[historia]

Also a details that is ignored is that Square Enix is rumoured to have PS5 Pro devkit, one of the first along with many Sony first parties, so I think they probably has long term commitment with Sony

 

[Dabaus]

Also a details that is ignored is that Square Enix is rumoured to have PS5 Pro devkit, one of the first along with many Sony first parties, so I think they probably has long term commitment with Sony

That’s a good point but what was the origin of that rumor?

 

[historia]

That’s a good point but what was the origin of that rumor?

It was mentioned in this forum?

I think the rumours from one of leaker from purple Reeeeee?

 

[avenovah]

I definitely remember there was a rumour from either Okabe or Shinobi602 that Sony was interested in Capcom lol

 

[Bryank75]

Okay, so as always, I've been reflecting....

Sony bought Bungie and they are really big on PC with Destiny, along with PS and even Xbox.

The three companies that could really help Sony make inroads on PC, to grab a lot of MAU's (if that is what they are after, are;

Larian, From Soft and CDPR. Three studios focused on RPG's.

They have been the most disruptive companies outside PlayStation recently, when they release games, almost everybody is focused on them and they suck most of the air out of the room for competing games.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

In terms of publishers, I think the relative value Microsoft gets from their 2 major acquisitions is so low and really underwhelming. In the longterm, they don't even guarantee growth / success. As a franchise can falter at any time.

For Sony Capcom is the best option with Square second.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would love to see Sony buy Perfect Dark, Legacy of Kain and all the Konami IP's and use them with their own studios......

Legacy of Kain / Soul Reaver with Santa Monica, for instance...in the format of a GOW game with some gameplay changes and innovations.

Metal Gear and Silent Hill with oversight and guidance from Kojima. Metal Gear Online....

A Bomberman battle royale.

Etc.

 

[reziel]

Okay, so as always, I've been reflecting....

Sony bought Bungie and they are really big on PC with Destiny, along with PS and even Xbox.

The three companies that could really help Sony make inroads on PC, to grab a lot of MAU's (if that is what they are after, are;

Larian, From Soft and CDPR. Three studios focused on RPG's.

They have been the most disruptive companies outside PlayStation recently, when they release games, almost everybody is focused on them and they suck most of the air out of the room for competing games.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

In terms of publishers, I think the relative value Microsoft gets from their 2 major acquisitions is so low and really underwhelming. In the longterm, they don't even guarantee growth / success. As a franchise can falter at any time.

For Sony Capcom is the best option with Square second.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would love to see Sony buy Perfect Dark, Legacy of Kain and all the Konami IP's and use them with their own studios......

Legacy of Kain / Soul Reaver with Santa Monica, for instance...in the format of a GOW game with some gameplay changes and innovations.

Metal Gear and Silent Hill with oversight and guidance from Kojima. Metal Gear Online....

A Bomberman battle royale.

Etc.

If I remember correctly Sony just bought Bungie just after trying started talking about putting their toes into the live service game which was a good decision considering despite Bungie only having the Destiny I.P they had done decent long term success in it. CDPR I believe said they are not selling to anyone right now and don't plant to in the future. Larian I agree would be a good choice considering their quality focus and passion in their work fits Sonys agenda. Definitely feel like Capcom and Square are the only two they would focus on over there even if they bought them they could let the devs keep select games multiplat as extra warchest funds.